The Brumbies have been reviewing and changing their half-time routines after failing to convert 40-minute leads into 80-minute wins in a majority of their games this year.
The ACT men, who are expected to welcome back David Pocock and fellow Wallabies Scott Sio, Rory Arnold and Folau Faingaa against the Lions this weekend, have had a major case of second-half blues in the 2019 season.
The Brumbies have led at the break in five of their seven games but only converted those leads to two wins - against the Chiefs and Waratahs at home.
They’ve been outscored 142 points to 66 in second halves.
The rocks-or-diamonds effect was on full display in Christchurch last Saturday when Dan McKellar’s men led the Crusaders 7-0 at half-time but ultimately crashed to a 36-14 loss.
"It is something we have talked about. We have tried a few things around halftime but it comes down to our game plan and mentally 1-15 being switched on, and starting fast,” Brumbies backrower Locky McCaffrey said.
"I think we are starting games really fast but we are not starting that second half with the same intensity.
"It is something we have addressed and something we are working on.”
The Brumbies are clinging on to the positives of their visit to the South Island of New Zealand, and the ambition and industry shown in the opening 40 minutes against the Crusaders
They’ve also taken lessons from the performance, said McCaffrey; not least the pain of having two men in the sin-bin after oranges.
"There were lots of positives in the game, especially the first 40 minutes. Second half was tough, playing over there in Christchurch against the reigning champs,” McCaffrey said.
"You have to put an 80 minute performance together. They were bringing All Blacks off the bench, who made a pretty big impact in that last 25 minutes and we just didn’t go with them. Playing with 14 men for 20 minutes in the half also didn’t help.
"Lots of positives. I don’t think too many teams will go over and keep the Crusaders scoreless for the first half so lots to improve on but some good things too.”
The return of Pocock will be a big bonus, but so too the additions of the other Wallabies.
"He is the best no. 7 in the world but at the same time we have a squad mentality and a guy like Folau Faingaa will come back and have as much impact as a Poey or a Scotty or a Rory,” McCaffrey said.
"I don’t think we focus on one inclusion."
The Brumbies take on the Lions on Saturday April 13, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
